What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sibilation
Example
The sibilation of the snake made me jump. [sibilation: noun]
Example
The singer's sibilant voice was perfect for the song. [sibilant: adjective]
hissing
Example
The tire was hissing air after hitting a nail. [hissing: verb]
Example
The angry cat was hissing at the dog. [hissing: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Hissing is more commonly used than sibilation in everyday language. Hissing is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while sibilation is less common and refers to a specific type of hissing sound.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sibilation and hissing?
Sibilation is typically associated with a more technical or scientific tone, while hissing is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.